RealGM

So ...
1.) Will they be our starting guards?
2.) Will it work?

IMO, yes and yes.

No chance they start together. It should work in the short term with them splitting the minutes at the point, and maybe giving Flynn some spot minutes at the 2, but that should be mainly to find out what we have.

Worm Guts wrote:No chance they start together. It should work in the short term with them splitting the minutes at the point, and maybe giving Flynn some spot minutes at the 2, but that should be mainly to find out what we have.

I agree. Despite what Kahn may have said I tend to think Rubio will come off the bench at first. The kid is only 18 -- and unquestionably needs to get stronger and work on his shot some.

I agree as well. I'm fairly confident Rubio will be a stud but I'm equally confident he's not ready just yet.

Yeah I would say they definitely try it out, but more likely with flynn coming off the bench and playing a small amount of minutes with ricky when ellington or whoever starts at SG is out of the game. Otherwise I think flynn will get his minutes backing up ricky and backing up the SG, so he will get a good amount it will just be as a backup that doesn't leave the floor much, if that makes sense lol. But if Ricky comes this year, he starts at PG even though I think flynn is probably more ready right now to play, but we aren't aiming for the 2010 title so ricky should get as much PT as he needs

I suppose it could work, but I'm not sure how and I'd be surprised if the coach they end up hiring has the ingenuity to make it work since all the guys they're interviewing are traditional types

I don't think that these guys are ready to start together in the NBA as rooks. I'd let Flynn start and have Rubio come off the bench letting them run together some to see how it works. However, if we could convince Rubio to come over this year I'd give him a guarantee of plenty of minutes and maybe even a spot in the starting five if that's what it takes.

collin_k41 wrote:I don't think that these guys are ready to start together in the NBA as rooks. I'd let Flynn start and have Rubio come off the bench letting them run together some to see how it works. However, if we could convince Rubio to come over this year I'd give him a guarantee of plenty of minutes and maybe even a spot in the starting five if that's what it takes.

I don't see how this viewpoint would be beneficial to us at all. That is far too risky of a proposition.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think this could work, and be our version of Nash/Barbosa? Obviously not exactly the same, but I think there are some similarities...

I think the Nash/Rubio comparison goes without question. Rubio obviously won't be on his level right away, but they fit the same mold as the "Floor General" type of PG.

Now I know Barbosa is a little taller than Flynn, and definitely fits more of the SG mold while Flynn is a pure PG, but they are both fast, can get into the lane, and finish around the basket. Flynn isn't the shooter Barbosa is, but I would say he isn't too terribly far off.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I can see them working together as a part of a 3 guard rotation at the 1/2 spots, and possibly starting together depending on the matchup. For example, I think Flynn would give OKC and the not fleet footed James Harden fits on the defensive end.

Now Q-Rich isn't necessarily the answer as the 3rd guard, but I don't think them (Rubio/Flynn) co-existing in the backcourt, and on the floor at the same time, is as out of the questions as others. I think just because it isn't conventional doesn't mean it can't work. On a run-and-gun team (like Kahn wants to put in place), the height of your shooting guard isn't as important as how fast he can get his shot off. I think if Flynn can become a consistant shooting threat, he can be our Barbosa, while at the same time being a "pure PG" if/when needed.

Just my take anyways...

Kahn did state that Rubio was our starting PG the minute he walks through the door, so whatever that's worth...

Timberpups wrote:Kahn did state that Rubio was our starting PG the minute he walks through the door, so whatever that's worth...

When was this?

big3_8_19_21 wrote:

Timberpups wrote:Kahn did state that Rubio was our starting PG the minute he walks through the door, so whatever that's worth...

When was this?

Kahn wrote a letter to Wolves fans, and had it ran in the Star Tribune after the draft.

http://www.themonitor.com/sports/kahn-28081-rubio-timberwolves.html

That isn't the link to the exact Star Trib letter/article (can't find the link), but it has quotes/highlights from it...

One being...

- If Rubio decides to play in Minnesota, "he will be the starting point guard the day he walks in the door," Kahn wrote in a letter to Timberwolves fans after the draft.

He said that during his press conference after the draft I think. I vividly remember him saying that though. Rubio is our starter right when he gets here and I doubt Ellington could beat out Flynn. Maybe Brewer, but I'd guess Flynn starts at the 2 right away.

Timberpups wrote:

big3_8_19_21 wrote:

Timberpups wrote:Kahn did state that Rubio was our starting PG the minute he walks through the door, so whatever that's worth...

When was this?

Kahn wrote a letter to Wolves fans, and had it ran in the Star Tribune after the draft.

http://www.themonitor.com/sports/kahn-28081-rubio-timberwolves.html

That isn't the link to the exact Star Trib letter/article (can't find the link), but it has quotes/highlights from it...

One being...

- If Rubio decides to play in Minnesota, "he will be the starting point guard the day he walks in the door," Kahn wrote in a letter to Timberwolves fans after the draft.

That quote convinced me a month ago that Kahn was dead certain that he could run with a Rubio/Flynn duo...

I'm intrigued by the idea as long as we have a big guard who can defend, knock down an outside shot, and work without the ball (maybe post up a little) as the third guard in the rotation. Can Ellington be this guy?

That quote convinced me Kahn was just saying what was necessary to get him over here and then ultimately the coach will decide who plays.

dunkonu21 wrote:He said that during his press conference after the draft I think. I vividly remember him saying that though. Rubio is our starter right when he gets here and I doubt Ellington could beat out Flynn. Maybe Brewer, but I'd guess Flynn starts at the 2 right away.

Johhny Flynn is 5'11 ( measure 5'11.25 barefoot at the combine) with a 6'4 wingspan. That is fairly undersized for the 1, it is a massive liability at the 2. I suppose you could switch Rubio onto the the opposing SG on D, but he is only 6'3 and 170ish...that front court will badly exploited by any team with an even average sized back court.

I really like Flynn as a PG, but they are throwing him to wolves if they make him play SG. Should Rubio show up, and Khan doesn't trade one of them, it will be such a massive misuse of talent.

AJ Valliant wrote:

dunkonu21 wrote:He said that during his press conference after the draft I think. I vividly remember him saying that though. Rubio is our starter right when he gets here and I doubt Ellington could beat out Flynn. Maybe Brewer, but I'd guess Flynn starts at the 2 right away.

Johhny Flynn is 5'11 ( measure 5'11.25 barefoot at the combine) with a 6'4 wingspan. That is fairly undersized for the 1, it is a massive liability at the 2. I suppose you could switch Rubio onto the the opposing SG on D, but he is only 6'3 and 170ish...that front court will badly exploited by any team with an even average sized back court.

I really like Flynn as a PG, but they are throwing him to wolves if they make him play SG. Should Rubio show up, and Khan doesn't trade one of them, it will be such a massive misuse of talent.

6'4'' barefoot. 190 lbs. At 18 years old.

I'm sure Rubio would be real happy paying 6 million out of his own pocket to come off the bench in Minny.

Guy986 wrote:I'm sure Rubio would be real happy paying 6 million out of his own pocket to come off the bench in Minny.

I think the bottom-line remains the same ... Rubio is going to start when he gets here. Flynn is going to play alot. That will not change until someone makes a super offer for Flynn.

Rubio/Flynn/Brown
Ellington/Richardson?
Gomes/Brewer/Cardinal
Love/Jefferson/Songaila
Thomas/Pecherov

Harris?
Cheap FA Center?